In the last few days alone, 75 Christians were killed in an attack on a church in Pakistan while 62 Christians were killed by members of the Al-Shabab militant group, an affiliate of Al-Quaeda. The killings at the mall in Kenya were particularly gruesome and cold-blooded as there are reports that before the killed anyone, they would first ask the person the name of Muhammed's mother. If the person was unable to answer correctly, he was shot. The attack on the Christians in Kenya occurred because of Kenya's involvement in the fight against Al-Shabab militants in Somalia. Pakistan on the other hand is an increasingly unstable country. I once read a dire report from a Pakistan born BBC reporter who decided to leave the comfort of the UK and go back to Pakistan. According to him, if at least 10 people were not killed in a day in Karachi, then it was considered a good day.
On the other hand, in the US and other Western countries Christians while Christians are not yet being killed en-masse for their faith, we constantly face a barrage of abuse and criticism from non-Christians, the media and other people who claim to be Christian but who don't believe the Bible or don't believe Jesus is the only way to God and don't consider him as their Lord and Saviour, the main argument being that Christianity should move with the times and become more 'modern', whatever that means.
Sadly, I only think it will get worse. Whole not trying to be alarmist, I see a trend where in the West where in name and spirit of 'equality', law makers will try to get Christianity and Christians to conform to the spirit of the age by enacting laws that make it hard for Christians to utter biblically sound doctrine. When we think of China and North Korea, we think of repressive and authoritarian regimes. And we think it can never happen in the West. Now I'm not so sure. It might sound far fetched but looking at the things happening this days, I won't be surprised if churches have to go underground to preach the word. I recently heard of an anti-discrimination ordinances a county in the state of Texas is thinking if passing that critics allege is aimed at Christians.
I believe that more than ever, these are the times to know who and what we believe. And I believe these are the times to boldly speak out about what we believe without fear or shame. I believe that is the least we can do since we have not yet been called on to die for what we believe in. Yet. Jesus said if anyone of us is ashamed of him here on earth, he will be ashamed of them before the Father. We should also not forget to say a prayer for those who live in countries where they are liable to die for the faith they profess. These are the things we must do.
Update: Please read this article by Thomas Marshall of the Hudson Institute: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/09/24/kenya-pakistan-egypt-it-is-now-open-season-on-christians/
On the other hand, in the US and other Western countries Christians while Christians are not yet being killed en-masse for their faith, we constantly face a barrage of abuse and criticism from non-Christians, the media and other people who claim to be Christian but who don't believe the Bible or don't believe Jesus is the only way to God and don't consider him as their Lord and Saviour, the main argument being that Christianity should move with the times and become more 'modern', whatever that means.
Sadly, I only think it will get worse. Whole not trying to be alarmist, I see a trend where in the West where in name and spirit of 'equality', law makers will try to get Christianity and Christians to conform to the spirit of the age by enacting laws that make it hard for Christians to utter biblically sound doctrine. When we think of China and North Korea, we think of repressive and authoritarian regimes. And we think it can never happen in the West. Now I'm not so sure. It might sound far fetched but looking at the things happening this days, I won't be surprised if churches have to go underground to preach the word. I recently heard of an anti-discrimination ordinances a county in the state of Texas is thinking if passing that critics allege is aimed at Christians.
I believe that more than ever, these are the times to know who and what we believe. And I believe these are the times to boldly speak out about what we believe without fear or shame. I believe that is the least we can do since we have not yet been called on to die for what we believe in. Yet. Jesus said if anyone of us is ashamed of him here on earth, he will be ashamed of them before the Father. We should also not forget to say a prayer for those who live in countries where they are liable to die for the faith they profess. These are the things we must do.
Update: Please read this article by Thomas Marshall of the Hudson Institute: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/09/24/kenya-pakistan-egypt-it-is-now-open-season-on-christians/
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